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1454
Printing Press
Revolutionary invention of the printing press makes books available to the masses for the first time. -
Franklin's Library
Franklin donated a collection of books to a Massachusetts town that named itself after him. He was asked to donate a bell, but he said that "sense" was more important than "sound". This created the first public library. -
US has largest literate public
US has largest literate public in the world due to the availability of reading material -
Boston Library
The first major public library, the Boston Public Library, was established in 1854 -
Tax Supported Library
The first totally tax supported library was established in Peterborough, New Hampshire. -
Carnegie's donations
From 1886 to 1919, more than 2,000 library buildins in more than 1,400 communities, were donated by Andrew Carnegie. -
First Library School
The first library school, in Columbia University's School of Library Science, was founded by Melvil Dewey. -
Tessa Keslo transforms the LA Public Library
T. Keslo transforms the Los Angelas Public Library by aboloshing membership fees, agitating for open stacks, and establishing the first systematic training for library employees from 1889 to 1895 -
The Grapes of Wrath was banned
The Grapes of Wrath was banned for 2 years, from 1939-1941 -
ALA begins to take stance against censorship
ALA begins to take stance against censorship in 1950. "Freedom to Read" is adopted in 1953.